Library Assistant IV - Archival Access & Collections Development

University of Louisville; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archival Access & Collections Development Library Assistant IV at University of Louisville leads virtual reference and in-person support for ASC's primary source collections. You will conduct research, guide researchers to collections, teach how to work with primary sources, and prepare materials for use by researchers.

You will oversee ASC's social media programs, collaborate with Communications and Marketing, and participate in outreach activities to promote Archives and Special

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, business, computer/information science or related field.
• Experience with reference services, archival research, and teaching primary source use.
• Experience coordinating outreach and social media for library programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary virtual reference contact for ASC via service account; triage inquiries and research within ASC collections.
• Conduct in-person reference interviews and assist researchers with archival research and handling.
• As Rare Books registrar, work with donors; prepare accession records in ArchivesSpace.
• Oversee transfer and shelving of books, including rare books, for cataloging and storage.
• Prepare collections for researchers, including description creation and finding aids.
• Manage ASC's social media accounts and create promotional content; coordinate with Communications.
• Collaborate with supervisor and university staff to promote ASC activities and exhibits.
• Participate in ASC outreach events and demonstrations for campus and public audiences.

Skills

Archival research

Reference interviews

Social media management

Donor relations

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in liberal arts or related field

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Job description

Department: Location: Belknap Campus Time Type: Full time Worker Type: Regular Job Req ID: R109590

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, business, computer/information science a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 5 (Hourly)

Position Description:

The Archival Access & Collections Development Library Assistant IV plays a leading role in promoting access to Archives & Special Collection's (ASC) primary source collections for University of Louisville students, staff, community members, and the wider research community. ASC's reference service is key to its goals around promoting student success through interactions with primary source materials; enabling UL units to celebrate and promote their work and history; supporting Louisville community members' continuing education through personal research; engaging the community with UofL; and enhancing UofL's image as a source of research material on a national and international stage. As the primary virtual reference service provider and as a key member of the in-person reference team, conducts research on behalf of patrons, guides researchers to appropriate collections, and teaches them how to find and work with primary sources. Supports ASC's work with donors: with the Special Collections Librarian/Curator of the Burroughs Collection, works with donors through the donation process; documents materials received for Office of Advancement, as needed; and serves as registrar for Rare Books materials, creating records of gift-in-kind donations in the Archives Catalog. Prepares materials for use by researchers, creating accessible and understandable descriptions that facilitate users' access to ASC's collections. The position leads ASC's social media programs: coordinating, researching, creating, and publishing ASC's social media content; and coordinating with the Libraries' Communications and Marketing Specialist and the University's Office of Communications and Marketing to promote the work of ASC, the University Libraries, and University. As part of ASC's Outreach Committee, plays a significant role in other ASC outreach programming.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as primary virtual reference contact via the ASC service account, receiving and triaging online reference inquiries from University of Louisville students, faculty and staff, researchers from other universities and other local, regional and international researchers. Perform research within ASC collections and respond to queries. When appropriate, refer questions to other ASC staff or external agencies.
• Conduct reference interviews in-person in ASC's research room, by telephone, and online, applying in-depth knowledge of collections to assist researchers in refining research needs.
• Assist researchers and instruct in archival research and appropriate handling of archival materials, photographs, and rare books.
• As Rare Books' registrar, work directly with donors to Rare Books collections. Execute gift documents; participate in pick up or delivery of gifts; report gifts in kind to the University's Office of Advancement as required; create accession records for gifts in kind in ArchivesSpace.
• Oversee transfer of books, including rare books, to Technical Services for cataloging and eventual receipt back to ASC for shelving. Prepare books for shelving, including creating shelving labels on archival slips for books. Shelve books and supervise students in shelving books in appropriate locations and collections.
• Prepare collections for use by researchers, including physical arrangement; preservation rehousing; creation of descriptions; consultation of controlled vocabulary thesauri to apply precise terminology; creating and updating finding aids in ArchivesSpace.
• Manage ASC's social media accounts and lead the creation of promotional content about ASC collections and programming. May collaborate with partners in the Libraries, the University of Louisville's Office of Communication and Marketing, and other stakeholders on announcements, event postings, and media campaigns directed toward university community members, donors, and the public.
• Collaborate with supervisor, Director of ASC, the Libraries' Communications and Marketing Specialist, external relations, and relevant university employees around promoting and documenting advancement activities of ASC.
• As a member of the ASC Outreach team, participates in tabling on behalf of ASC to promote the library's services and materials to university community members and the public.
• May participate in the planning and implementation of ASC exhibits and installations, including materials selection, event coordination, and promotion.
• May supervise student employees, enabling them to acquire transferrable workplace and life skills through hands-on, engaged experiences in ASC.
• Perform routine maintenance checks on ASC facilities and public spaces with supervisor. May coordinate with Facilities Manageme